Speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill, The electric treadmill stated by the present invention includes an upright frame, a base frame, a front supporting leg and a rear supporting leg. A console is mounted on the upright frame, and a handrail is fitted to either side thereof. A motor-driven assembly is fitted to the base frame so that a continuous belt circles therearound for an in-place rotation. In addition, two rocker arms can be held by both hands of a user for a forward and backward swinging movement. The console fitted to a handgrip of the rocker arms contains a plurality of control keys like speed control or slope adjusting keys so that the operator can adjust the speed and slope of the treadmill while walking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill, and more particularly, to a device which is practical and convenient.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Many commercially available electric treadmills 10 are provided with two rocker arms 20 swingable backward and forward along with both arms of the operator and fitted to an upright frame 12 (see FIG. 1), a base frame 14 (see FIG. 2) or an handrail 16 (see FIG. 3). Even, a resistant element (not shown) is added to the rocker arms 20 so that the operator can train the arm muscle while walking. These disclosures can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,460,586, 5,527,245, 5,688,209, 5,431,612, 5,207,622, 5,860,894, 5,709,632, etc.

[0005] The rocker arms 20 have no design drawbacks concerning the basic function of swinging both hands of the operator. However, in order to adjust the walking speed or the supporting slope of the base frame 14 while walking, he has to stop using the rocker arms 20 or walking and goes toward the console 18 to press the corresponding control keys (not shown). After the adjustment, he returns to the exercise position for holding the rocker arms 20 to continue the exercise session, thereby causing much inconvenience in using.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is a primary object of the present invention to remove the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill on which a plurality of control keys in connection with a console is provided for adjusting the walking speed and the slope of the base frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the present invention which is fitted to both sides of the upright frame of an electric treadmill;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the present invention which is fitted to both sides of the base frame of the electric treadmill; and

[0010]FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the present invention which is fitted to both sides of the handrail of the electric treadmill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] First of all, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the electric treadmill stated by the present invention includes an upright frame 12, a base frame 14, a front supporting leg 11 and a rear supporting leg 13. A console 18 is mounted on the upright frame 12, and a handrail 16 is fitted to either side thereof. A motor-driven assembly (not shown) is fitted to the base frame 14 so that a continuous belt (not shown) circles therearound for an in-place rotation. In addition, two rocker arms 20 can be held by both hands of a user for a forward and backward swinging movement.

[0012] The console 18 fitted to a handgrip 21 of the rocker arms 20 contains a plurality of control keys 22 like speed control or slope adjusting keys so that the operator can adjust the speed of the treadmill and slope while walking.

[0013] The slope adjustment means the basic functions performed by the electrically elevating mechanism for the walking platform. This mechanism has been widely applied to each of electrical treadmills. Thus, no further descriptions are given hereinafter.

[0014] The control keys 22 are fitted to the handgrip 21 of the rocker arms 20, respectively. The control keys 22 on one of the rocker arms 20 can be used for the increasing adjustment of the speed and the slope while the control keys 22 on the other rocker arm 20 can be used for the decreasing adjustment of the speed and the slope.

[0015] Besides, a physiological detector (not shown) in connection with the console 18 can be fitted to the handgrip 21 of the rocker arms 20 in order to measure a few physiological parameters (like pulse, etc.) to transmit back to the console 18 so that the console 18 can automatically optimize an exercise program in accordance with the individual physical state.

[0016] Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill comprising an upright frame, a base frame, a front supporting leg and a rear supporting leg, a console being mounted on said upright frame, a handrail being fitted to either side thereof, a motor-driven assembly being fitted to said base frame so that a continuous belt circles therearound for an in-place rotation, two rocker arms being provided and held by both hands of a user for a forward and backward swinging movement; wherein the improvement is characterized by: said console fitted to a handgrip of said rocker arms having control keys for adjustment of the walking speed and slope.
 2. The speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill as recited in claim 1, wherein said control keys are fitted to a handgrip of said rocker arms, respectively, and wherein said control keys on one of said rocker arms is used for the increasing adjustment of the speed and the slope while said control keys on the other rocker arm is used for the decreasing adjustment of the speed and the slope.
 3. A speed control rocker arm for an electric treadmill comprising an upright frame, a base frame, a front supporting leg and a rear supporting leg, a console being mounted on said upright frame, a handrail being fitted to either side thereof, a motor-driven assembly being fitted to said base frame so that a continuous belt circles therearound for an in-place rotation, two rocker arms being provided and held by both hands of a user for a forward and backward swinging movement; wherein the improvement is characterized by: a physiological detector in connection with the console being fitted to said handgrip of said rocker arms. 